AARON HENSLEY + RISE NATION
Build Leaders. Build Systems. Build Legacy.
RISE Nation is the ecosystem Aaron Hensley built to help coaches, martial arts school owners, faith-driven leaders, fitness leaders, and service-based entrepreneurs turn expertise into scalable businesses that develop leaders, serve communities, and create lasting impact.
Leadership Architect | Founder of RISE Nation | Built 24 locations across 6 states | Multimillion-dollar exit
Built from 30+ years of leadership, business building, and real-world operational experience.
⬤
OUR STORY
A School of Leaders.
Founded in 1997, Stryker Martial Arts Academy has spent more than 29 years helping Bristol families build confidence, discipline, and resilience through martial arts in a supportive and family-focused environment.
PHARMACISTS
NURSES
HEALTH COACHES
DOCTORS
PAS
CRNPS
Our STORY
A School of Leaders.
A School of Life.
Stryker Martial Arts Academy was founded by Chris Massie with a simple but powerful purpose: to help people become stronger, more confident, and more capable through martial arts. For nearly three decades, the academy has served the Bristol community by providing high-quality instruction while focusing on the personal growth of every student who walks through the doors.
What makes Stryker different is the culture. Students are encouraged, challenged, and supported every step of the way. Whether it's a young child learning responsibility, a teenager building confidence, or an adult pursuing a new challenge, every program is designed to help students grow both on and off the training floor.
Today, Stryker Martial Arts Academy is home to a community of families, students, and instructors who believe in showing up, putting in the effort, and helping one another succeed. It's a place where lifelong friendships are built, personal victories are celebrated, and every student is welcomed like family.
1997
Year Founded
29+
Years Experience
250,715+
Students Helped
our core values
🏆
Character First
We use martial arts as a tool to help students develop responsibility, respect, integrity, and positive habits that last a lifetime.
🤝
Personal Growth
We believe every student is capable of growth and encourage consistent progress through effort, perseverance, and commitment.
💪
Family & Community
We foster a welcoming environment where students and families support one another and celebrate success together.
❤️
Encouragement With Accountability
We challenge students to do their best while providing the guidance, support, and mentorship needed to reach their goals.
DISCIPLINE
CONFIDENCE STARTED SHOWING UP FAST
Student: Girl, Age 4 · Program: lil cobras · Duration: First Few Weeks
Parents were looking for an activity that would help their daughter build confidence, learn self-defense, stay active, and develop important life skills. Within just a few weeks of training, they noticed significant growth in both her enthusiasm and personal development.
key milestones
📅 Week 1 — Welcomed by instructors and quickly felt part of the community
📅 Week 2 — Began learning foundational martial arts skills and class routines
📅 Week 3 — Built confidence while making new friends
📅 Week 4+ — Showing growth in discipline, focus, and physical fitness
"My daughter has learned so much already and she loves meeting new friends. Not only for self-defense, but for discipline and physical health. The whole staff, including the owners, are so great with the kids and parents."
— Heather R., Parent
CONFIDENCE
MORE THAN MARTIAL ARTS
Student: BOY, Age 8 · Program: Kempo Kidz · Duration: Ongoing
Parents were looking for an activity that would help build confidence, discipline, and focus while keeping their child engaged and excited to learn. Through consistent training and positive coaching, they noticed significant growth in both attitude and self-belief.
key milestones
📅 First Classes — Quickly felt comfortable in the welcoming environment
📅 Month 1 — Developed excitement and motivation to attend classes
📅 Month 3 — Increased confidence and willingness to take on challenges
📅 Ongoing — Continues building focus, discipline, respect, and leadership skills
"The instructors are patient, encouraging, and make each class both fun and challenging. I've noticed such a boost in my child's confidence and motivation since starting here. The environment is positive and family-friendly, and you can tell the staff truly cares about the students' progress."
— Sheri C., Parent
COMMUNITY
MORE THAN A MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL
Student: Boy, Age 14 · Program: Teen/adult kempo · Duration: Ongoing
Parents wanted a positive environment where their teenager could stay active, build confidence, and be surrounded by strong role models. What they found was a supportive community where instructors genuinely care about every student's success both on and off the mat.
key milestones
📅 First Classes — Welcomed into a friendly and encouraging environment
📅 Early Training — Built connections with instructors and fellow students
📅 Ongoing Attendance — Developed confidence, accountability, and consistency
📅 Today — Feels like part of a martial arts family, not just another student
"If he misses class Chris calls and checks on him to make sure he's ok. My son isn't just another student there, he is more like family to them. All the kids are great and helpful when needed."
— Jami P., Parent
LONG-TERM GROWTH
EIGHT YEARS AND STILL EXCITED TO TRAIN
Student: Adult Student · Program: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu · Duration: 8 Years
Finding a martial arts school is one thing. Finding a place that keeps you motivated and engaged year after year is something entirely different. Through expert instruction, a supportive community, and a proven curriculum, this student found a training environment worth committing to for the long haul.
key milestones
📅 Year 1 — Built a strong foundation and confidence in training
📅 Year 3 — Continued developing skills alongside supportive teammates
📅 Year 5 — Advanced through the curriculum with personalized coaching
📅 Year 8 — Still training, learning, and growing with no plans to stop
"The biggest reason is the atmosphere of amazing instructors and students topped off with great curriculum made by Master Machado himself. Makes learning fun and easy to digest while providing top-notch detail with every single technique. You will get attached to the instructors and love the training!"
— Eli M., Student
our stryker team
Chris Massie
owner & head instructor
QUICK ANSWERS
COMMON QUESTIONS FROM
Bristol
FAMILIES
Serving Bristol area, and surrounding communities.
How long has Stryker Martial Arts Academy been serving the Bristol community?
Stryker Martial Arts Academy has been helping students build confidence, discipline, and life skills in Bristol for many years. Under the leadership of Chris Massie, our academy has become a trusted place for children, teens, and adults to grow both on and off the mat.
Who are the instructors at Stryker Martial Arts Academy?
Our programs are led by highly trained instructors who are passionate about helping students succeed. Head Instructor Chris Massie is a 6th Degree Black Belt in Tetsu Shin Ryu Kempo Karate and a Black Belt in Carlos Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Every instructor is dedicated to creating a positive, encouraging, and safe learning environment for students of all ages.
Is Stryker Martial Arts Academy part of a larger organization?
Stryker Martial Arts Academy is an independently operated martial arts school serving the Bristol community. While we proudly teach recognized martial arts systems including Tetsu Shin Ryu Kempo Karate and Carlos Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, our academy maintains its own unique culture centered around family, personal growth, and community involvement.
No Experience Needed · No Long-Term Commitment
COME MEET THE TEAM.
The best way to experience everything we offer is to come in. Book your trial and see for yourself what we're about.
Root-cause healing that restores the body through nervous system regulation, detox pathways, and metabolism. Not symptom-chasing. Not another bandaid.
Hi, I'm Dr. Kourtney
Three pillars of real,
lasting results
Energy & Fatigue Recovery
Nervous system and detox support that addresses why your body is stuck in survival mode — not just masking exhaustion with caffeine and supplements.
01
Metabolism & Weight Loss Resistance
If you're eating right and exercising but nothing moves, there's a deeper reason. We find it — and fix it — using functional labs and a personalized protocol.
02
Hormone Balance
Hormone issues are signals of something deeper — drainage, nervous system dysregulation, or metabolic burden. I help you address the root, not just the numbers.
03
MY APPROACH
Why clients get results when
nothing else worked
I combine 20+ years as a pharmacist with a root-cause, whole-body approach — bridging conventional medicine with the deeper healing most practitioners never address.
01
Regulate before you detox
Nervous system and drainage are the non-negotiable foundation. Skip this step and nothing else sticks.
02
Healing is low and slow
Real detox doesn't happen overnight. Sustainable results come from doing it right — at the pace your body can actually handle.
03
Symptoms are signals, not diagnoses
Hormone imbalances, weight gain, fatigue — your body is communicating. We listen, then address what they're pointing to.
"I get it, because I've been there — and I know exactly where conventional medicine stops and real healing begins."
● Pharmacist-level fluency in your labs, medications, and diagnostics
● Functional medicine lens that asks why , not just what
● Whole-body protocols — nervous system, detox, and metabolism together
● 1:1 consultations using the Root Cause Method, not cookie-cutter plans
● Internationally accredited certification teaching practitioners the same method
national
business Advisory & Tenant Representation
These two services are conducted without geographic restriction. We advise and represent clients wherever the deal or operation requires — across the US.
track record
Clients & Partners
Past tenants and S&P 500 companies we've worked alongside.
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